April 1rst, 2016: 2 YEAR BLOG ANNIVERSARY and Versatile Blogger Award ;-)

Dear April welcome!

Actually this is my 2 YEAR BLOG ANNIVERSARY and I feel so happy to have used this form of expressing thoughts and emotions, and to meet new creative friends! The blog started as a form of a game, it was supposed to be read by my two closest friends and little by little it got emancipated and I enjoyed the whole process 🙂

Two years ago I was living in Paris and was suffering under the “wannabe boss”: one of those guys who need to oppress others in order to feel they exist. I tried to find what really matters to me and focus into something I would enjoy instead of just avoiding or even ” wining” in a battle that had no meaning. I was working as an artistic event organizer, free-lance and underpaid, with literary aspirations.

Since mid-October I relocated to London and try what it is to live in a new city with new opportunities in love and in life. I recently launched my first book -in French!- and enjoy my new adventures!

As it is an anniversary, I thought it is ok to “defrost” a Blogger Award in order to cheer me up. I prefer to consider an award as something which is better with time like a good wine 😉

The nomination has come from Rozanne and her blog Life is Rosie (http://lifeisrozie.com/) who has also relocated, but not as close as I did: she is currently living in Hong Kong and I wish her all the best to her blogging, personal and professional life! Her blog is fresh and rose, just a touch of spring!

Versatile Blogger Award

 

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The rules are:

Show the award on your blog: Done!
Thank the person who nominated you: I just did, it only took me a few months…
Share seven facts about yourself: I will
Nominate 15 blogs: I would need to add to this list, because it means serious work … as Rozanne I start with 1+5 with a promise to continue…
Link your nominees’ blogs, and let them know: ok

Seven Facts:

1. I can be lazy but it is only to preserve my peace of mind 🙂
2. I have been abusing on chocolate lately
3. I have a secret identity that will be revealed when my novel gets published in english
4. I like listening to conversations in cafes and restaurants, so don’t sit next to me
5. I have read my favorite books about 10 times
6. I love dancing
7. I believe in good in this world

And the nominated blogs :

a. Brian’s blog: https://equinoxio21.wordpress.com/ A blog about Magic, Fiction and Art!

b. https://t7danieldavis.wordpress.com/, “On the Other Side of the Trees”

c. https://tellingthetruth1993.wordpress.com/

d. https://stringofpearls2.wordpress.com/2016/03/31/my-2016-smart-goals/, or Lady Gray

e. https://erikakind.wordpress.com/, Erika Kind for her presence in so many ways

f. http://labiblioafronebrulepas.com/, Anna Kendi

and I will keep on adding more blogs!

Versatile Blogger Award

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February 3rd, 2016: day 6 of 60 day challenge- Bloggers Bash in London and the Champion award

Hello February,

thanks to Raphaela and her inspiring blog “hummingbirdredemption”-I mean just the title is enough to start your imagination flying- I got nominated for the Champion Award! (http://hummingbirdredemption.com/2016/02/02/the-champion-award/)

As to the rules:

Be sure to post the award symbol, using the #Champions Awards: Done

Acknowledge the sponsor of your Award and thank them. Also done. I am a fun of hummingbirdredemption

Choose at least 5 of your own nominees and remind them of the  guidelines. This is always difficult with so great blogs, so it is just five among those I love a lot. I have not included some blogfriends who got an award in the last three days 😉

Keep it simple~ no need for explanations for the awards. We know how great these folks are. This is better because I feel like a movie critique or something of the kind.

So, my Nominations are with no order:

1. http://smallchangesforlife.com/about/
2. http://labiblioafronebrulepas.com/about/
3. http://davidjrogersftw.com/
4. https://t7danieldavis.wordpress.com/
5. http://dalocollis.com/

And, by the way, the fellow blogger and champion Erika Kind (https://erikakind.wordpress.com/)told me about the Bloggers Bash to take place in London on June 11, so please come along for a great event!

Bloggers Bash 2016 – Venue Announcement

February 2nd, 2016- day 6 of challenge: how to be a champion the day after

Dear February,

is it normal that after accomplishing miracles, in a way, I feel tired and a bit down? This is how champions feel the day after they got the gold medal? Ok then, I feel reassured.

Sports psychology is quiet an inspiration! A friend worked with tennis champions and now he is also coaching football players. Being a champion is not only about the process to become one, and how to stay on top. It is also about how to deal with the day after you have given what you had, and you feel empty of emotions, energy and somehow… exhausted. It is dealing with a roller coaster of emotions.

Almost everyone faces challenges. But champions also face times so high that down is way more down than for other people. It is like being on the North Pole and then right away in the Sahara desert.

What do you do then? Well, according to my friend, it seems that the middle ground is the best place to stay. Which means, when the boat rocks, you stay in the middle. The advice is to find an internal middle ground where movement is possible, but whatever happens, you keep your balance. And enjoy the ride.

And when for example I want to sit back and observe the people passing by, or the birds flying, this is what I do.

Period.

January 19- One Lovely Blog Award

Dear January,

I would like to thank wholeheartedly Meg for nominating me -a while ago- for the One Lovely Blog Award! It was an opportunity to discover the musings of someone who might “never be an adult”, but so much the better!

Now, January, you want to know how come I accept an award every day?

Well, it is like having a birthday close to Christmas or another celebration, and then there is also New Year’s Eve coming. You are entitled to a present on each of these occasions. So you come up with at least three presents. Isn’t it great?

I will not mash-up the awards as Meg did for hers, although it is an excellent strategy: (https://mediocremegblog.wordpress.com/2014/10/14/the-one-lovely-liebster-blog-award/)

Each gift is valuable and I will have more fun unwrapping each package and preparing a gift for other bloggers on my turn.

So, the One Lovely Blog Award nominations are chosen by fellow bloggers for those newer and up-and-coming bloggers. The goal is to help give recognition and also to help the new blogger to reach more viewers. It also recognizes blogs that are considered to be “lovely” by the fellow bloggers who choose them. This award recognizes bloggers who share their story or thoughts in a beautiful manner to connect with viewers and followers. In order to “accept” the award the nominated blogger must follow several guidelines:

– Thank the person who nominated you for the award. (Thanks again Meg!)

– Add the One Lovely Blog logo to your post. (Ok)

– Share 7 facts or things about yourself

Now, 7 facts anyone would like to know?

1. I like “Galette des rois”, to begin with, the Epiphany cake with a special recipe

2. I was having a piece right now

3. I am a passionate person, when I love something I love it: I can read the same book a hundred times, eat “gallette des rois” every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

4. I am messy but appreciate order

5. I love herbal tea

6. I have a secret identity

7. I have a lazy side

 

– Nominate 15 bloggers you admire and inform the nominees by commenting on their blog.

Now, this is the part that demands some work… the main criteria I used this time, apart from the fact that I love these blogs, is that in their majority, they are written by men. Yes, I tried a positive discrimination because I realized I have nominated more women’s blogs the last time. Not that it matters, but I would like to highlight a different form of sensibility.

Some of these blogs belong to artists, photographers, writers, cinema critics. Others are written by educators, coaches, people with a life experience, unfolding in their writing. I will not say which is which, but this is a token of appreciation. They are all lovely blogs to me!

https://t7danieldavis.wordpress.com/

http://therichthoughts.com/

http://jasoncblight.com/about-2/

https://aadhira.wordpress.com/about/

http://iconsidermyselfavagabond.com/

http://janeweisslcsw.com/

https://christopherinhr.wordpress.com/

http://graphicmatrix.org/

http://selfdevelopmentaddict.com/

https://meshthemoviefreak.wordpress.com/

http://dalocollis.com/

https://reflectionsonage.wordpress.com/

http://lewellynhughes.com/

http://dmelicertes.com/

http://davidjrogersftw.com/

 

 

January 18- Excellence Award!!!

Dear January,

I am just retrieving a gift, very kindly bestowed to me by Erika Kind, inspiring author and blogger: (https://erikakind.wordpress.com/2014/12/05/excellent-award/).

I have been extremely grateful for this nomination, but was thinking that it involved answering questions, and since I was busy with both important and useless errands, I was procrastinating. Could it be that I felt overwhelmed and not worthy enough of an award that is talking of “excellence”? Excellence seems like a cousin to perfection. And even if it is important to accept praise and distribute it, there is a critical non-loving side hiding somewhere, smirking: “Do you consider yourself excellent April?”

Ok shadow self, what is your problem if I do? Go get some “galette des rois” (french cake for the Epiphany, delicious by the way), and relax a little bit.

So Erika, thank you, not only for this nomination, but especially because you has been reading this blog and for all your insightful comments!

Here are the rules once accepting the award:

1) The nominee shall display the respective logo on her/his blog.
(Done, this is an easy one 🙂 )

2)  Link to the blogger that has nominated her/him.
(Ok done also).

2) The nominee shall nominate ten (10) bloggers she/he admires, by linking to their blogs and informing them about the nomination. (This is always more tricky because there are many blogs I admire, it is difficult to choose).

Among the blogs that I admire with the order that they come to my mind. Among these blogs you can find artists, thinkers, educators, inspiring authors. I love them all!

https://kimberlyharding.wordpress.com/

https://julesgemstonepages.wordpress.com/

https://rachelcarrera.wordpress.com/

https://closetoeighty.wordpress.com/

http://yoursuccessinspirer.com/

https://tellingthetruth1993.wordpress.com/about-me/

http://movingtowardsthelight.com/

https://rubyspolaroid.wordpress.com/

https://chaitalibhattacharjee7.wordpress.com/

http://damiengwalter.com/2015/01/19/

September 16- The Liebster Award :-)

 

Hey September,

did you know this blog has been nominated for the Liebster Award? I owe it to these two amazing bloggers :Finding Intoxication (http://sohamdhesi.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/the-liebster-award/) and Life or Fiction (http://lifeorfiction.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/the-liebster-award-discover-new-blogs/).

I feel honoured and extremely grateful for this award whose objective is to discover new blogs!

Now, you may well object, wait a second, why haven’t you followed the rules right away April? Finding Intoxication has already nominated you on August 9, where are the answers to the questions?

Ok, September, I was lazy in August, but I will make it up to her and will answer briefly both her questions and those of Life or Fiction!

Questions of Finding Intoxication

• What’s your favourite quote?
• My favourite quote is “love is the highest form of wisdom”
• If you had to give a piece of advice to a large group of people, what would it be?
• Make love, not war
• How do you find your inspiration when writing?
• I just start writing, I don’t know if it is inspired, but I enjoy it!
• Tell us something you have done that you are proud of
• I am proud of this blog because it gives me a writing routine to respect
• If you could pick a job without any consequence to money, what would it be?
• Writer
• What is your favourite type of cuisine or dish?
• I like grilled fish
• If you met your 20-year-old self, what would you tell/advise him or her? If you are younger than 20, then you meet the 12-year-old you and the same question applies.
• Be confident my dear! Talent is passion, not some kind of super-ability you are born with!
• What is your best childhood memory?
• One of my best memories, birthday parties with my friends and family!
• What got you into writing?
• I wrote my first poem when I was 7 year’s old
• Apart from writing or blogging, what are your other interests?
• Art, in its different forms, astronomy, love, cafés
• What is a must read book according to you? ( Preferably a book that has perhaps gone unnoticed in the public eye or has been under appreciated)
• My first novel, not yet translated in english (I am working on it)

Questions of Life or Fiction

1. What is your biggest fear?

That my fear outweighs my courage

2. What is your favorite holiday?

Travel in the Greek Islands

3. Where is your favorite place to be?

Paris

4. What is you favorite word?

Love

5. Who is your favorite author?

Jane Austen I discovered when I was 14 and still love her

6. Why did you start writing?

I started writing at 7, it is a form of creating my world!

7. Who inspires you the most?

People with convictions, many friends, my family

8. Have you fallen in love more than once?

Yes!

9. What is your favorite show?

I don’t watch tv if this is what you mean; I can’t manage to connect my “décodeur” at home

10. What is the most difficult part of the writing process for you?

Writing well?

11. What are you doing right now?

I am answering your questions and those of my café neighbors: they asked me if I am a pianist because apparently I write very fast 🙂

The Wonderful Bloggers I nominate:

I like a lot of blogs, but I spent more than an hour trying to find those with less than 1.000 followers, and blogs I haven’t already suggested for other awards; Here are my first suggestions that cover blogs on fashion, reading and writing, different forms of art, sport, and wisdom.

Sandra Danby: http://sandradanby.com/

Pomolio : http://pomolio.wordpress.com/

Linda Pano: http://lindapano.com/

Priyanki: http://jollyprivy.wordpress.com/

The kitchen around the corner: http://thekitchenaroundthecorner.com/2014/09/16/cafe-pinson-2/

Recycle Couture: https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/40300388/

Clarabelle https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/35189510/

One Tusk https://wordpress.com/read/blog/id/3691387/

Jodie Paterson http://jodiepaterson.com/

 

My questions to answer:

1. do you think we should adept our demands to our means or the other way around?

2. What does writing mean to you?

3. What are you doing on a sunny day?

4. What future memory would you like to create?

5. Would you date yourself were you a person of the opposite sex?

6. What is success to you?

7. What does this award mean to you?

9. Make a wish

10. Fulfill someone’s wish

11. What is your favorite place?

I finish the post with the rules of the award:

– Thank your nominator and post a link to his/her blog.

– Display the award on your blog.

– Answer the 11 questions provided by the nominator.

– Nominate 5-11 blogs which have less than 1000 followers, and let them know they’ve been nominated.

– Make up and post 11 questions for your nominees to answer.

– Post these rules on your blog.

 

July 9- Very inspiring blogger award nomination :-)

Thank you so much Nicole for nominating this blog again (http://ultrarunningmom.com/2014/07/29/very-inspiring-blogger-award/); I reblog my answers and will add some points, such as: three things that inspired me the most this week: 1. friendship, coming from people I know well, but also from people I hardly know, a kind gesture that is unexcpected and precisous: as having a discount in my local café and not knowing who do I owe it to 🙂 2. love: feeling in love is great, … a friend gave me a new understanding of what love can be; c. fulfilling a goal I have set: it gives a feeling of accomplishment, no matter what the result can be!

april4june6: A journal of self-tranformation

Dear July,

I came home a bit tiered after a full exhibition day and almost mechanically turned on the computer to check on my blog. “Likes” usually make my day, and on top of that, the “cerise sur le gâteau”, I found a beautiful surprise! A message from a co-blogger, Alygeorges, who nominated me for the “Very Inspiring Award” (http://alygeorges.wordpress.com/)!

The title is already an inspiration! I don’t know whether the blog deserves it, but it is always a pleasure to get presents, and it is as if you offered to me a present dear Alygeorges! Thank you!

Now, this got me into a playful disposition and I am ready to fulfill my obligations for the next step:

Here are the rules:

1. Thank and link the amazing person who nominated you. (Ok I did this one)
2. List the rules and display the award. (here they are; I hope I displayed…

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July 18- Brave Heart Award

Dear July,

have you heard the news? My blog has been nominated by Dazzling Whimsy  at dazzlingwhimsy.com for the Brave Heart Award! I feel honoured and grateful. But what is more, it gives me courage to be brave! (http://dazzlingwhimsy.com/2014/07/16/brave-heart-award/)

Dazzling Whimsy is searching for sunshine in an obscure world. And this is definitely courageous and beautiful.

Now, in order to abide by the rules, I will answer a series of questions:

• Tell us a little bit about your blog. Who designed it?
 I have used the Reedle Theme from WordPress. The photo that serves as background pictures two beautiful trees full of flowers at the Luxembourg garden in Paris, where I live, in April. It is a photo that I have taken myself and I love a lot.

 

• What is the title and description of your blog?
 April4June6: A journal of self-transformation. It started as a challenge I undertook: to write a form of daily journal for three months, as a tool to change certain aspects of my life: create prosperity and allow a loving relationship. I wanted to see change in three months. The incentive was a difficult time with a “wannabee boss” who appears in some of my posts. But it also helped me realize there are a lot of things I love about my life and myself :-). My style is a form of “dialogue” with the different months of the year. As a mentioned in my “update”, something concrete happened in this period: my project passed the first step of an evaluation at the end of June. But at the same time, this blog is an excuse to do what I love: WRITE. And to share some thoughts and questions on everyday life, with those who would like to accompany me. I extended the period of the blog to another three months 🙂

 

• Who is your intended audience? At the beginning, my intended audience was myself and two of my best friends. Now, everyone who would take an interest in it is welcome! I am very grateful of fellow-bloggers who have read and commented on my posts. This dialogue has taken me a step further and made my life more beautiful! Thank you again!

 

• How did you come up with the title of your blog? I just wanted to write for three months, my challenge was from April to June, and I added 4 since April is the fourth month and 6 for June.

 

• Give us an interesting fun fact about your blog. I have been writing a post a day for three months and a half now 🙂 and intend to continue with the same rythm for another three months.

 

• What other blogs do you own and what makes them alike? This is my first blog, but I also have a site related to my other activities, that I will reveal in the future.

 

• Do you have any unique talents or hobbies? I think we all have talents and hobbies in a way. I write fiction and poetry. My first novel is already submited in different publishing houses, but it is not in english, yet! As to hobbies, my favorite is having a coffee in Paris or elsewhere, discussing with people I love or by myself, while watching people passing by. Reading of course, now blogging also, if this can be considered a hobby. I also love to dance!

 

• What can we expect from you in the future? To be present in the blog-sphere and to tell you about my novel that I will translate in english 🙂 I should start this August.

 

• Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers/bloggers? I think it is important to write because it helps self-reflection and it allows us to become conscious of certain ideas that could have passed unoticed. Gettinf feedback is also so important! To be brave and accept some vulnerability. Being vulnerable demands a lot of courage!

 

• Before you go, could you share a snippet from your blog? I will quote my comment on July 11, that explains the way I see blogging:  “Yes, the blog is like a magic mirror for me. A miror because it allows self reflection, but also “magic” because it brings back other views and voices to!” (https://april4june6.wordpress.com/2014/07/11/july-11-inspiration-and-the-key-to-success/)

 

I would like to nominate the following blogs for the Braveheart Award:

Each blog represents for me a different dimension of a “Brave Heart”

1. http://kimberlyharding.wordpress.com/2014/07/18/back-to-my-husband/ for bringing to the surface elements that lie in our collective inconscious, through her art and posts. I linked to her last post that I find absolutely great, talking about herself and her love for her husband.

2. http://stringofpearls2.wordpress.com/about/ for her courage to put herself on stage and share her world with us : “I am addicted to beauty, I love too deeply, and I’m a scarred human being with a hard past. I am on a journey that I hope to share transparently with anyone who stumbles here”.

3. http://labiblioafronebrulepas.com/about/ for her wonderful purpose to create an African library that cannot burn: “Anne KEDI SIADE, young cameroonian Lady passionate of Africa, and filled with the vision that this continent will be big and determined to be part of it”. I just love people with a purpose!

4. http://julesgemstonepages.wordpress.com/about-me-sort-of/ for being so much more than  “…an old leather boot trying to walk on a catwalk and nobody cares because I’m not a plastic mock animal high heel shoe.”

5. http://bucketlistpublications.org/about-me/ for sharing : ” portrays the beauty and limitless possibilities of this world”, but also the fears and insecurities that allow us to be brave. And I refer to this post that I liked a lot: http://bucketlistpublications.org/2014/07/18/drowning-fear/

6. http://alygeorges.wordpress.com/about/ for her purpose to “…share my experiences on this site, so I can motivate someone; help them understand that there’s so much to life than just resigning oneself to misery”

I think the rules are to answer the above questions, post the award, link back to who gave it to you and nominate others.

Brave Heart Award

 

July 9/August 11- Very inspiring blogger award nomination :-)

Dear July,

I came home a bit tiered after a full exhibition day and almost mechanically turned on the computer to check on my blog. “Likes” usually make my day, and on top of that, the “cerise sur le gâteau”, I found a beautiful surprise! A message from co-bloggers, Alygeorges (http://alygeorges.wordpress.com/), and Ultrarunningmom (http://ultrarunningmom.com/) who nominated me for the “Very Inspiring Award” !

The title is already an inspiration! I don’t know whether the blog deserves it, but it is always a pleasure to get presents, and it is as if you offered to me a present! Thank you!

Now, this got me into a playful disposition and I am ready to fulfill my obligations for the next step:

Here are the rules:

1. Thank and link the amazing person who nominated you. (Ok I did this one)
2. List the rules and display the award. (here they are; I hope I displayed it correctly)
3. Share seven facts about yourself. (I will do this right away)
4. Nominate 15 other amazing blogs and comment on their posts to let them know they have been nominated. (You will find about them after the rules; I also have to let them know? They are many!)
5. Optional: Proudly display the award logo on your blog and follow the blogger who nominated you. (Done)

Well, seven things about myself:

a. I love animals, and especially cats.

b. I love cinema, but avoid films with violence and drama (I only watch children’s movies and comedies)

c. I am very receptive to other people’s feelings and moods, so I easily feel overwhelmed

d. I am shy when it comes to feelings

e. I read a romance-erotic novel when I go to the seaside (usually in the summertime)

f. I am opinionated

g. I love chocolate

List of Inspiring Nominees

1. http://closetoeighty.wordpress.com/

2. http://eddietwohawks.wordpress.com/

3. http://kimberlyharding.wordpress.com/

4. http://labiblioafronebrulepas.com/

5. http://dalocollis.com/

6. http://thefickleheartbeat.com/

7. http://mistermaxxx08.wordpress.com/

8. http://jumpforjoyphotoproject.wordpress.com/

9. http://thekitchenaroundthecorner.com/

10.http://mylittlebookblog.wordpress.com/

11.http://storytimewithjohn.com/category/travel-tales/

12.http://bpstainton.wordpress.com/

13. http://psychosomaticallyinlove.wordpress.com/

14. http://yichinglin.wordpress.com/

15. http://lynettenoni.wordpress.com/

Dear blog-friends, excuse me if you are not interested in awards, and also there are many other blogs I find inspiring and some of them I follow!